Thursday, February 26, 2009

Take it and Run Thursday: Backwards TIaRT - You Ask the Question

Every week Runner's Lounge posts a topic for runners to comment on. This week they've turned the tables and are leaving the door open for runners' questions.

As I'm somewhat of a race junky now (seriously, I love them - the adrenalin, the pukey feeling at the beginning ... and sometimes the end, the mud (I like the trails), and the gummy bears when you cross the finish), I'm curious - what's the race that changed your life AND/OR the one race everyone needs to do before they die?

I've done most of the Marin trail races, the San Diego Marathon, and the Bend Marathon. I've dappled in half marathons, Bay to Breakers, and other local 10ks. With my 30th birthday coming up in October I'm considering a half Iron Man in Santa Cruz ... and these are great races! But I'm not feeling that moved. Do I need to throw a Great Wall of China Marathon in the mix? Today I read on Julianne's blog that she's doing the Hope Runs 777 Challenge (which I'm blown away by - major kudos!) and covering these seven marathons:

DATE

RACE

LOCATION

January 2010

ING

Miami, Florida USA

February 2010

Beppu-Oita Mainichi Marathon

Beppu JAPAN

February 2010

Buller Marathon

Westport NEW ZEALAND

February 2010

TBA

EUROPE

March 2010

Kilimanjaro Marathon

Moshi TANZANIA

March 2010

Antarctica Marathon

King George Island ANTARCTICA

March 2010

Maraton Fin del Mundo

Ushuaia ARGENTINA


So what's the best? The most life changing? The most beautiful? What's it for races?

2 comments:

ThatGirlRuns said...

Boston was by far the most life changing race. Starting the the flight where all runners just recognized each other, spending time in the city pre and post race and then race day itself. Amazing. Of all the races I have run this is the only one I can remember mile-by-mile.

Kristen said...

I think I have more on my "dream" list than I have done (all the continents, Boston, NYC, Disneyworld, etc), however, every year I always look forward to the local Turkey Trot 5k in Davis and the Run to Feed the Hungry 10k in Sacramento. I always run both "just for fun" (I know, do ppl do this any more?). Both are such great family events and really kick off the holiday season for me.

My favorite 1/2 had to be the Nike Women's. My family was supposed to come and cheer but my dad had been in an accident earlier in the week and was in the hospital, however, they all still encouraged me to go. I had REALLY been excited for the race since I was accepted so I went. For being alone I felt like I had a bunch of girlfriends out on the race with me. There was so much crowd support, great volunteers and treats along the way, awesome post race goodies and even though they couldn't be there "virtual" cheering by text msg from my parents. And don't forget running in San Francisco, one of my favorite cities.

Both are nothing exotic, however, they hold a special place in my heart.